Detectives investigating the murder of Southampton pensioner Delia Hughes at the Ocean Village complex, say they hope fingertip searches of four ornamental lily ponds at the site will yield potential clues to the 85-year-old's death.

As well as items including bricks, bottles and glasses, officers from Hampshire Constabulary’s Major Investigation Team (HMIT) also found several items of 'potential interest' to the inquiry team.

Detective Superintendent Tony Harris who is leading the investigation said: “These latest searches have revealed several items which may be linked to the murder of Delia Hughes.

"We have therefore sent them off for forensic analysis and we remain very much open minded as to whether they will provide us with any evidence. We now have to wait while scientists examine them and this could take several weeks.

“In the meantime the investigation team are following up numerous lines of enquiry and we have still been unable to identify a man who was seen in the Ocean Village area on the morning of Saturday, August 18, when Mrs Hughes’ body was discovered.

"It is imperative that we speak to this man as he could hold vital information. If anyone knows who this man is, we would ask them to contact us."